Principal's Report

I am writing this prior to a number of significant events to be held later in the week. We have such an amazing array of experiences at all levels that provide a richness and depth to our Curriculum at Chatham Primary School.

Victorian Championships - School Aero Aerobics Competition

On Thursday 31st July we fielded nine teams in this demanding competition. I am pleased to advise that two of our teams reached the finals and two qualified for the National Aero Aerobics Competition to be conducted in September 2025 in Queensland. This is extraordinary! One of our teams (Zara F-C and Madeleine) achieved the gold medal (first) in their category against some of the best resourced and most experienced independent school teams in the State. We were also delighted that another team comprising Amelie, Angelina and Lyla gained a seventh placing in the finals, which also qualified them for the National Competition.

Such achievements do not just happen but occur through the sheer dedication, capacity and attention to detail that our Assistant Principal Georgie Kirwan provided over many months, much of it occurring well beyond established hours and in holidays and over the weekends.

We were delighted, as was Gymnastics Victoria, on the skill and efforts of our male student team (Jack F-P, August and George). These students were interviewed and filmed and we look forward to sharing the outcome. Their courage in being the only male team is to be celebrated and is a brilliant model for other students at our school and elsewhere.

Again, Ms Kirwan is a model for us all in her selfless application of making a valuable difference for the students in our care, and I commend her selfless efforts and commitment and leadership that puts students at the centre.

We look forward to our students performing at our School Assembly on Monday 11th August.

100 Days of School – Foundation – Tuesday 29th July and Tuesday 5th August 2025

This momentous occasion was of great excitement and focus on Tuesday 29th July 2025. Our students and staff dressed-up in all their hundred-year finery, and the day was full of enjoyment and energy. On Tuesday 5th August we marked the milestone again with a special assembly at 9:10am, where our students entered the hall with great confidence, gave us a short performance with Mr Smith and received their one-hundred-day certificate. It was fantastic to see so many parents joining with us to celebrate the occasion.

Library Provision and Exciting developments at Chatham Primary School 

The work and drive that is occurring in this area of our school is so exciting and inspiring. Ms Andrea McLeod keeps us all up to date with the many developments that are occurring from week to week. We look forward to all students and staff dressing up next Tuesday in their favourite book character for our School Book Week Parade.

Ms Andrea Mcleod reports that we added a new series called 'Play the Game', which was instantly popular. Each of the books in this series is designed to introduce 8 to 14-year-olds to the basic principles and key skills of a specific sport. There are 14 titles in the series – Athletics, Aussie Rules, Basketball, Cricket, Golf, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Netball, Rugby League, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball. 

Contagion spreading to Year 1/2 Students

The following information is provided by Ms Andrea McLeod 

Some of our Year 1/2 students were thrilled to discover we now have the complete series of Andy Lee’s 'Don’t Open Me' books. Within minutes of these 10 new books hitting the shelves, 9 had been borrowed!

Next Friday, 15th August the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) will announce the winners and honour books for 2025. This year’s CBCA theme is 'Book an Adventure', and our students have begun reading and critiquing the shortlisted books and thinking about their costumes for our Book Day Parade next Tuesday 12th August!

We have all of the shortlisted books in the categories applicable to us (see following). The Truck Cat seems to be emerging as a clear favourite amongst both students and teachers - let us see how it goes!

Picture Book of the Year Shortlist

Afloat by Freya Blackwood, text by Kirli Saunders

The Garden of Broken Things by Freya Blackwood

A Leaf Called Greaf by Kelly Canby

These Long-Loved Things by Ronojoy Ghosh, text by Josh Pyke

The Truck Cat by Danny Snell, text by Deborah Frenkel

We Live in a Bus by Dave Petzold

Younger Readers Shortlist

Aggie Flea Steals the Show by Tania Ingram

Fluff: Mess Up! by Matt Stanton

Laughter is the Best Ending by Maryam Master

Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraiser Fail by Rebecka Sharpe Shelberg

Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jacke French

To and Fro by Anton Clifford-Motopi

Eve Pownall Award Shortlist 

Always Was, Always Will Be by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson

Design & Building on Country by Alison Page and Paul Memmott, illustrated by Blak Douglas

Flora: Australia’s Most Curious Plants by Tania McCartney

I am a Magpie, I am a Currawong by Bridget Farmer

Making the Shrine: Stories from Victoria’s War Memorial by Laura J Carroll

South With the Seabirds by Jess McGeachin

New Illustrator Shortlist

A Teaspoon of Light, Nisaluk Chantanakom

Digger Digs Down, Huni Melissa Bolliger

Grow Big, Little Seed, Sara Capon

Peek-a-Boo Lottie, Kirsten Willis

Raymangirrbuy dhawu, When I was a little girl, Kylie Gatjawarrarwuy

The Land Recalls You, David Cragg and Noni Cragg

School Camp – Year 3 & 4 – Arrabri Lodge, East Warburton – Monday 18th – Wednesday 20th August 2025

We have requested that the student forms and details be returned to school by Monday 11th August. This is a magnificent experience and a venue well known to our staff. This camp venue is used alternatively every second year. On this occasion our students will be joined by Mr Tim Clarke, Ms Lorraine McLean, Ms Lisa Gilbert, Ms Heather Ritter, Mr Peter Manning, Ms Georgina Kirwan and myself. Ms Ritter is a highly experienced and retired secondary school teacher who will also add diversity to the staff group.

Additionally, our small group of international students will also be attending along with Ms Cheryl Chang on this occasion. We look forward to these students joining with us and experiencing yet another dimension of primary school life at Chatham Primary School.

Visitors from Japan – 6th – 13th August - Osaka

We are in great anticipation of our nine Japanese students arriving tomorrow and joining our school community. Mr James Rampant will coordinate events over the coming week as we immerse these students in the life of the school. More information will be provided shortly.

House Athletics Competition – Hagenauer Reserve, Box Hill

It is with great excitement that we are launching into the House Athletics Day on Wednesday 6th August. It was fabulous to see Mr Boulton with our House Captains at our School Assembly reviving our school chants for each of the Houses. I convey our appreciation for the considerable devotion of Mr Boulton in preparing our students for the running events and the field events including discus, shot put, triple jump, long jump and high jump. I look forward to our students also moving on to the District Athletics Competition to be held later in the term.

Christopher Cotching

Principal